Kinematics and ground reaction forces in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis.
Abstract: To measure and correlate kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis. Methods: 6 sound horses. Methods: Horses were evaluated before (sound evaluation) and after (lame evaluation) induction of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in 1 forelimb (randomized) by injection of collagenase. As each horse trotted, kinematic data were collected by use of an optoelectronic system, and GRF data were measured by use of a force plate. Three-dimensional kinematic and GRF data were projected onto a 2-dimensional sagittal plane. Results: Lame limbs had significantly lower peak vertical GRF, less flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint, and less extension of the metacarpophalangeal joint, compared with compensating limbs. Carpal joint kinematics did not change. Compensating limbs had a more protracted orientation throughout the stance phase and higher braking longitudinal force and impulse; however, total range of rotation from ground contact to lift off did not change. Transfer of body weight from lame to compensating limbs was smooth, without elevation of the body mass into a suspension phase. Propulsive components of longitudinal GRF did not differ between limbs. Conclusions: In horses with experimentally induced superficial digital flexor tendinitis, changes in vertical GRF were reflected in angular excursions of the distal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints, whereas changes in longitudinal GRF were associated with alterations in the protraction-retraction angle of the entire limb.
Publication Date: 2000-02-24 PubMed ID: 10685692DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.191Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Biomechanics
- Body Mass
- Carpal Joint
- Clinical Study
- Distal Interphalangeal Joint
- Equine Health
- Experimental Methods
- Ground Reaction Forces
- Horses
- Injury
- Kinematics
- Lameness
- Locomotion
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint
- Musculoskeletal System
- Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon
- Trotting Horses
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research investigates the effects of superficial digital flexor tendinitis on the movement and ground reaction forces (GRF) in horses. The study finds that horses with this condition show significant changes in joint movement and force distribution.
Methods of the Study
- The study involved six healthy horses. The researchers induced superficial digital flexor tendinitis in the forelimb of each horse using a collagenase injection.
- The kinematic data, or motion of the horses, were collected through an optoelectronic system as the horses trotted.
- GRF data were measured using a force plate, a device that records the force exerted on it.
- To simplify the data analysis, the three-dimensional motion and GRF data were projected onto a two-dimensional sagittal plane (side view of the horse’s movement).
Findings of the Study
- The study discovered significant changes in the lame limbs which had superficial digital flexor tendinitis. These limbs demonstrated lower peak vertical GRF, less flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint, and less extension of the metacarpophalangeal joint compared to the compensating limbs.
- Despite these changes, there were no changes observed in the carpal joint kinematics.
- The compensating limbs showed a more protracted orientation throughout the stance phase and had higher braking longitudinal force and impulse. Yet, there was no change in the total range of rotation from ground contact to lift-off.
- Interestingly, despite these compensations, the transfer of body weight from the lame to the compensating limbs was smooth, without causing a suspension phase in the body mass.
- The propulsive components of longitudinal GRF did not differ between the limbs.
Conclusions of the Study
- The study implies that horses with the experimentally induced tendinitis adapt by changing their joint movement and force distribution.
- Changes in the vertical GRF were reflected in the angular excursions of the distal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints.
- Alterations in longitudinal GRF were associated with changes in the protraction-retraction angle of the entire limb.
Cite This Article
APA
Clayton HM, Schamhardt HC, Willemen MA, Lanovaz JL, Colborne GR.
(2000).
Kinematics and ground reaction forces in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis.
Am J Vet Res, 61(2), 191-196.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.191 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1314, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Joints / physiopathology
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Movement
- Posture
- Tendinopathy / physiopathology
- Tendinopathy / veterinary
- Tendons / physiopathology
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Parmentier JIM, Bosch S, van der Zwaag BJ, Weishaupt MA, Gmel AI, Havinga PJM, van Weeren PR, Braganca FMS. Prediction of continuous and discrete kinetic parameters in horses from inertial measurement units data using recurrent artificial neural networks. Sci Rep 2023 Jan 13;13(1):740.
- St George LB, Spoormakers TJP, Smit IH, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Roy SH, van Weeren PR, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Adaptations in equine appendicular muscle activity and movement occur during induced fore- and hindlimb lameness: An electromyographic and kinematic evaluation. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:989522.
- Pagliara E, Marenchino M, Antenucci L, Costantini M, Zoppi G, Giacobini MDL, Bullone M, Riccio B, Bertuglia A. Fetlock Joint Angle Pattern and Range of Motion Quantification Using Two Synchronized Wearable Inertial Sensors per Limb in Sound Horses and Horses with Single Limb Naturally Occurring Lameness. Vet Sci 2022 Aug 25;9(9).
- Madsen LM, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Stewart MC, McCoy AM, Schaeffer DJ. Kinetic Analysis in Horses With Deep Digital Flexor Tendinopathy Within the Digit Diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:893026.
- Wagner FC, Gerlach K, Geiger SM, Gittel C, Böttcher P, Mülling CKW. Biplanar High-Speed Fluoroscopy of Pony Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT)-An In Vivo Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2021 May 27;8(6).
- Serra Bragança FM, Hernlund E, Thomsen MH, Waldern NM, Rhodin M, Byström A, van Weeren PR, Weishaupt MA. Adaptation strategies of horses with induced forelimb lameness walking on a treadmill. Equine Vet J 2021 May;53(3):600-611.
- Tijssen M, Hernlund E, Rhodin M, Bosch S, Voskamp JP, Nielen M, Serra Braganςa FM. Automatic detection of break-over phase onset in horses using hoof-mounted inertial measurement unit sensors. PLoS One 2020;15(5):e0233649.
- Bosch S, Serra Bragança F, Marin-Perianu M, Marin-Perianu R, van der Zwaag BJ, Voskamp J, Back W, van Weeren R, Havinga P. EquiMoves: A Wireless Networked Inertial Measurement System for Objective Examination of Horse Gait. Sensors (Basel) 2018 Mar 13;18(3).
- Wu PT, Hsu CH, Su FC, Jou IM, Chen SY, Wu CL, Su WR, Kuo LC. Dynamic weight bearing analysis is effective for evaluation of tendinopathy using a customized corridor with multi-directional force sensors in a rat model. Sci Rep 2017 Aug 18;7(1):8708.
- Gan Z, Wiestner T, Weishaupt MA, Waldern NM, David Remy C. Passive Dynamics Explain Quadrupedal Walking, Trotting, and Tölting. J Comput Nonlinear Dyn 2016 Mar;11(2):0210081-2100812.
- Mirza MH, Bommala P, Richbourg HA, Rademacher N, Kearney MT, Lopez MJ. Gait Changes Vary among Horses with Naturally Occurring Osteoarthritis Following Intra-articular Administration of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma. Front Vet Sci 2016;3:29.
- Wiggers N, Nauwelaerts SL, Hobbs SJ, Bool S, Wolschrijn CF, Back W. Functional locomotor consequences of uneven forefeet for trot symmetry in individual riding horses. PLoS One 2015;10(2):e0114836.
- Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ohmura H, Aida H, Hiraga A. In vivo measurements of flexor tendon and suspensory ligament forces during trotting using the thoroughbred forelimb model. J Equine Sci 2014;25(1):15-22.
- Dyson S, Pollard D. Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to 150 Horses with Musculoskeletal Pain before and after Diagnostic Anaesthesia. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 9;13(12).
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